Supporters Culture Starting To Take Hold Of Vancouver
Some of you reading this will no doubt be getting sick of ourselves, and others, banging on about supporters culture.
We know it’s not for everybody and we readily accept and respect that. As long as you support the Caps and make some noise for the boys, that’s good enough for us. We all want the same thing and that’s to be able to cheer the good guys on to victory.
For those of us in the South end though, we’ll be taking that support to the extra level and with the noise we make and the sound that will be generated by the banging of feet on the metal floors, Empire is going to become a wall of noise.
Supporters culture is a key to the growth of the game on this continent. It’s what’s going to attract more people to come to the games in the US and Canada, especially the younger demographic that is so important to the future of MLS.
We’ve seen it in Toronto. We’ve seen it in Seattle. And now, it looks like we’re going to see it in Vancouver if last night’s Southsiders event at the Lamplighter Pub in Gastown was an indication of anything.
The event was a pre MLS celebration, with fans collecting their Southsiders membership packs for the year, taking in the first kick game between Seattle and LA, and, for some, picking up their season tickets.
The Lamplighter was packed to the rafters and was awash with Whitecaps blue and white and Cascadia green. It’s was a very pleasing sight to behold.
There was a buzz in the room the whole evening and the anticipation of the Whitecaps MLS debut on Saturday was immense.
Southsiders President John Knox whipped up the packed crowd, telling them:
“You are a part of something special. You are a part of the oldest Supporters’ Club in Canada. We started off small in numbers but are growing in leaps and bounds as you can see tonight”.
Numbers of the group are growing all the time, with the Vancouver public not just showing that they realise the importance of supporters culture, but also that they want to be a part of it.
Membership is expected to be higher than their current 350 mark as they go into Saturday’s game and then steadily increase after that. In the last couple of weeks, their Twitter account has added 500 followers.
This bodes well for the atmosphere at Empire.
The players appreciate this as well and Jay Nolly, Greg Janicki, Wes Knight and captain Jay De Merit all made appearances at the function last night.
De Merit made an impassioned speech where he told fans that the players need us as much as we need the players.
Feeling the buzz in the room last night, that’s not going to be a problem.
[*** You can find more pics from the event on our Flickr page ***] [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmnO4DCGh6E&w=500&h=405]
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Slight correction. We passed 300 before halftime yesterday and finished the night somewhere around around 350. By the time the first ball is kicked on Saturday we hope to be north of 400.
Slight correction. We passed 300 before halftime yesterday and finished the night somewhere around around 350. By the time the first ball is kicked on Saturday we hope to be north of 400.
Don't want to go back and check but I hope Johnnie didn't say (after giving credit to fans in Toronto, Seattle, Philadelphia (Philadelphia?) “and Portland before us”. Southsiders were founded while Portland didn't have a team. Southsiders came before TA.
Cheers Pilts. Have amended the article slightly.
Cheers Pilts. Have amended the article slightly.
No, I was saying that supporters in Portland & Philly have grown to large numbers before we have had a chance to, and now it's our turn.
No, I was saying that supporters in Portland & Philly have grown to large numbers before we have had a chance to, and now it's our turn.
Okay great, not trying to start a fight or anything! Just wanted clarification.
Philadelphia has huge numbers? I didn't notice them much on televised and webcast games.
Okay great, not trying to start a fight or anything! Just wanted clarification.
Philadelphia has huge numbers? I didn't notice them much on televised and webcast games.
5,200 unpaid
5,200 unpaid